---
type: lake
name: "Deer Lake"
county: "Beltrami"
nearest_town: "Bemidji"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 298
max_depth_ft: 42
latitude: 47.65802
longitude: -95.02349
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "04023000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/deer-lake
---

# Deer Lake

Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Bemidji

- **Surface Area**: 298 acres
- **Max Depth**: 42 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch
- **Lake Score**: 60/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Deer Lake is a 298-acre lake near Bemidji in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.1 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 23, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass**: Catch-and-release only.
- **Northern Pike**: All from 24-36" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36".
- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 23
- **Years of record**: 17
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-24
- **Latest**: 2013-05-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/long-lake) - 2.2 miles, 664 acres
- [Campbell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/campbell-lake) - 4.5 miles, 463 acres
- [Sandy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/sandy-lake-debs) - 4.6 miles, 103 acres
- [Little Buzzle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/little-buzzle-lake) - 4.8 miles, 78 acres
- [Puposky Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/puposky-lake) - 4.9 miles, 2,177 acres
- [Whitefish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/whitefish-lake) - 5.3 miles, 128 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.65802,-95.02349)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=04023000)
- [All lakes in Beltrami County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/deer-lake)*